What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Looks good.

 

Rotated tires. I have a noise coming from the front that sounds like tire noise. Truck has Goodyear Forteras on it so it shouldn't be tire noise but tried rotating anyway. Noise still there. Starts around 30 mph. Truck is 4wd & is not lifted. Maybe wheel bearing?
At least tires are rotated now.

 

Did some LED swapping and installed my cluster now that I got it back from Jerez today! Just got the radio left which will be getting done soon!

 

I went to the dealer again for a rear brake pulsation. They resurfaced the rear drums last visit. This time they claimed the front rotors had excessive run out, and they were resurfaced. I had no steering shake while braking. It's from the rears again because if you engage the parking brake a click, the whole truck shakes. Guess I'll have them resurfaced again myself if there's enough meat left there. They also replaced a mount for a TSB 0249-12, vibration 15-25 mph. Hard to tell if that's fixed or not, though it does feel improved. Truck has 8200 miles on it. Say what you want on this forum about these trucks, but it's a bit of a downer. MY 2005 Dakota I traded in had 55000 miles on it and was in once for ball joints at 50k. Overall, the impressions of this vehicle are it's a little tinny feeling compared to other trucks, the brakes seem to warp easily, the bed dances over bumps, the radio is a complete joke, I had to install my own seat heaters and light for the bed. At least it's pretty and holds it's value well. Hope overall it holds up because I was planning on holding onto it for 10 years. Just doesn't have that solid feel. Unfortunately no one else makes a downsized truck worth a damn either. I'd be into a fullsize for better highway MPG, and only slightly less city MPG's if it fit my needs and garage better.

 

Got my Avid Sliders on, they are solid, highly reccomended.

 

Bolt on or weld on ?

 

Put that baby behind the back passenger seat. You'll be glad when you get it installed. It is a nice little sub and does add that little bit of bass you're looking for

 

Well I hate to see you base your impression on the truck from what might be one bad model. As far as pulsation, when you step on the brake... there is more to it than rotors and pads. Anti-lock braking system could be tripped, bad tires, loose hub, bent frame (long shot on new truck), pretty much... there is a lot to shakin-while-brakin issues; from master cylinder, entire braking system to suspension, etc.... if all they are trying is rotors and brakes they are limiting themselves. new truck should have 3 yr 36k warranty, sounds like you should push them on it. I am not mechanic, but I have destroyed my fair share of vehicles when i was young, and spent more time sitting in repair shops getting rotors, brakes, transmissions, clutches, and even a seized motor, and that elusive warped frame, repaired that i picked up some things.

Time to agree with you: I dont like that bed dance like when I hit speed-bumps at speed. I dont do it a lot, but I know that suspension parts need to be cycled once in a while to keep them flexing and to help me determine if they need looked at. Bed dance is annoying, bed light is personal preference but I can side with you on that one.

First impressions are a bitch, sorry you're having a bad one.

 

Bolt on for know, but Brandon said I can always come back and have them welded down the road.

 

I would say keep them bolted, easier to pull them if they get bent.

 

Bolted to the frame then ? I thought their bolt ons were mounted in the factory running board holes in the underside of the cab ?

 

Thats what I was leaning more towards, that and after selling my last truck, I learned not everyone likes my style, so bolt on makes it easier to change/part out if it ever came to that

They are bolted to the running board holes, don't quote me on this but I'd imagine the plates could be replaced to have the weld on triangle style ones

 

K

So you are aware of their limitations then , that's why I asked

 

He was saying the bolt ons were rated to ~400lbs, so that suits me for now just getting my dirt bike out to the desert and mild off roading, nothing too crazy

 

What's the purpose of a sway bar relocater bracket?

 

ummm... relocates the sway bar? LOL

drops the sway bar down at the frame mounts to A) keep the sway bar end links at more normal angles after a lift, and B) also keeps the end of the sway bar and the end links from contacting the struts or front axles after a lift

probably not needed unless you approach 3" or higher. I have no problems at all with mine without relocating it with about 2 1/4" lift

 

Conducted my oil change/oil catch can empty/air filter cleaning/vacuum & car freshener/wash and detail all at the house. Why do people pay the stealerships to do these things? Was going to do the spark plugs as well because I just hit 30k miles, but I don't have a gap gauge. Guess its back to the auto store for me.

PS. Let me say this, if you dont have a oil catch can I would suggest you get one. The stuff that comes outta that thing just blows my mind that it is an acceptable thing to car manufacturers. Even a cheap one would be better than nothing.

 

Got a new set of Duratracs installed finally no more 245 stock dunlops! WHOOHOO!

 

new sunvisor/driver side - $62 dealership